Sheriff seeks county sign‑off on SWAT memorandum adding Bemidji Fire paramedics to team medical coverage

Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs asked the Board of Commissioners to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to add Bemidji Fire Department personnel to the county’s SWAT medical response capability.

Riggs said the county historically relied on Bemidji Ambulance and other hospitals for medical care during SWAT operations but that the sheriff’s office has sought on‑scene critical‑care personnel to improve response. “Bemidji Fire Department has stepped up, and they’re willing to do the work for us. They have a trained paramedic,” Riggs said, and added that the fire department brings workers’ compensation and League of Minnesota Cities insurance coverage that addresses prior insurance obstacles.

Riggs said the MOU was vetted with county attorney David Hanson and that Bemidji Fire personnel would be an additional resource so law‑enforcement officers can focus on policing functions while firefighters provide medical care in the cold‑zone or at‑scene triage locations.

Commissioner Carlson asked whether adding fire personnel to SWAT could cause understaffing for other emergency calls; Riggs said the fire department has staffing flexibility and that administration would move or replace people as needed. Commissioner Winger said he reviewed the MOU and that his questions were answered.

No formal vote to adopt the MOU was recorded in the work session record presented, but Riggs said the MOU had been reviewed by the county attorney and he sought board sign‑off. The board did not record an action on the MOU at the work session beyond asking questions and receiving the presentation.